Computer repair

bluesnake

Drinda, I do find your understanding of "No Fix-No Fee" extremely unrealistic.

"No Fix-No Fee" means if they can not fix it, they will not charge you. It does not mean they will send someone to your home, disassemble your PC, fault-find, assess the problem, source parts, and give you an estimate for free, and if all this is satisfactory only then you go ahead and pay them. No industry that i can think of works in your free way, except maybe some charities.

Lets be honest 99.9% of computers can be fixed, however it may cost more to fix than buy a new one. Many people would not want their PC fixed if it cost more than a new one. Also many people on having their PC repaired or getting a new PC would complain if pictures etc are missing - but this does depend on the fault.

Yes, if I was them, after spending what could mount to many hours on your pc, plus having business expenses including collection and return delivery, would expect some payment. I'm certain they would soon go broke collecting PCs, giving free diagnostics and quotes.

I have no ties with the company or any employees there. Not knowing your PC most likely it is old and not worth it, so they informed you before commencing. Not only are they are out of pocket, but now being taken to the police too possibly for theft. If I ever start a business I hope you are never one of my customers!

JohalaReewi

bluesnake wrote: »

Yes, if I was them, after spending what could mount to a few hours on your pc, plus having business expenses including collection and return delivery, would expect some payment. I'm certain they would soon go broke collecting PCs, giving free diagnostics and quotes.

I have no ties with the company or any employees there. Not knowing your PC most likely it is old and not worth it, so they informed you before commencing. Not only are they are out of pocket, but now being taken to the police too possibly for theft. If I ever start a business I hope you are never one of my customers!

You seem to have missed the bit where the company involved was none other than click4pc who are well known scammers. I don't think they are going to be out of pocket. If you do start a business I sure hope you are not involved with click4pc.

rmg1

bluesnake wrote: »

Drinda, I do find your understanding of "No Fix-No Fee" extremely unrealistic.

"No Fix-No Fee" means if they can not fix it, they will not charge you. It does not mean they will send someone to your home, disassemble your PC, fault-find, assess the problem, source parts, and give you an estimate for free, and if all this is satisfactory only then you go ahead and pay them. No industry that i can think of works in your free way, except maybe some charities.

Lets be honest 99.9% of computers can be fixed, however it may cost more to fix than buy a new one. Many people would not want their PC fixed if it cost more than a new one. Also many people on having their PC repaired or getting a new PC would complain if pictures etc are missing - but this does depend on the fault.

Yes, if I was them, after spending what could mount to many hours on your pc, plus having business expenses including collection and return delivery, would expect some payment. I'm certain they would soon go broke collecting PCs, giving free diagnostics and quotes.

I have no ties with the company or any employees there. Not knowing your PC most likely it is old and not worth it, so they informed you before commencing. Not only are they are out of pocket, but now being taken to the police too possibly for theft. If I ever start a business I hope you are never one of my customers!

If the advert says no "no fix-no fee" then if they haven't fixed it, they can't charge .... at all.

I used to work in a TV repair shop with a similar (note similar) ethos. It was £5 for a quote but that came off the final bill if we did the work. If we couldn't fix it, then all you paid was the initial £5 for the quote. That was clearly stated and explained to customers.

As for returning the wrong computer, that could be put down to incompetence by someone but, looked at in a more sinister light, it could be them trying to get rid of an annoying customer knowing they've dropped a clanger.

I wouldn't wait for anyone to call back, I'd be on to trading standards, the police (this could be construed as fraud), the local press and anyone else I could think of.

Just one quick question for the OP, please tell me you've changed all your passwords?!?!?

bluesnake

I actually work for public sector in the IT these days, but not PC side any more. As I said "I have no ties with the company or any employees there" and never had.

£75 does seem expensive for a cheap graphics card, but cheap for an expensive one. £35 collection, labour and delivery is reasonable. The initial quote was probably comparable if not cheaper to PC World, and this company collected the PC.

If I were them I would put t&c on the collection note. Sending scrap back is bad form though.

rmg1 bet they had fixed it, because it is the only sure way you know what is wrong. No more bespoke expensive tubes any more, unlike TVs BTW, how long ago was it when it was £5 for a quote?

just googled them. not good http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/rogue-traders-click-computers However I do feel the intial deal was the fair going rate.

rmg1

It was <mumble, mumble> years ago (:o) but at least customers knew what the deal was.
If they've fixed it, why haven't they returned it and gone through small claims court? That would be the sensible/professional way to proceed.

And, from the OP, it was made quite clear that no remedial work was to be done without explicit consent.

Drinda

Hi all,
At 9am Tuesday 5th my husband found a large parcel on our door step, it was delivered by Hermes who did not ring the bell, thinking it was my PC I draged it in and opened the box to see this junky old PC [NOT MINE] and it did not have a return address so I phoned them and said this is not my PC, but he said yes it is madam and put the phone down.

I must not say too much now, only that the police ARE dealing with it and I will tell you as soo as I am able.

In answer to bluesnake, I alway's pay my way and more if a job is done well,
You don't seem to grasp the fact that these people are con artists, in the first place he said he had not had time to look at it and then he said he spent a lot of time cleaning the inside and that's when alarm bells rang because I CLEANED IT 2 HOURS BEFORE THEY CAME, when I pointed this out to him he said I would have to pay him £75 + £35 if I wanted my PC back,he would not give me an address to go and see him and demanded I give him my bank details, I said what for and he said for a graphics card.

I am sure this is not too much for an intelligent person to comprehend, but then I don't know what planet you are from.

Thanking you from a very angry Drinda.